RADEN Suwardi is the man credited with bringing Bedhaya Dirodo Meto back to life. At the twilight of his life the 85-year-old still shuttles between Surabaya where he now lives and Solo where his knowledge of Javanese court dances is being put to good use by Pura Mangkunegaran.

“I will come to Solo any time Pura Mangkunegaran invites me to,” said Suwardi who is considered a living dictionary Mangkunegaran-style court dances. Suwardi was only